If you’ve been following the blog for a while now, then you know that I do a yearly wrap up of my favorite posts from the year and share a little bit of the back story behind them. And since 2016 is now officially behind us, I’d better get crackin’.
So, without further ado ~ let’s get started!
This little stone building is one of my favorite places to pose, mainly because it’s just a couple of blocks away from my home. On this day, I wasn’t feeling very good and was in no mood to take blog pictures. My photographer/husband kept telling me to stop looking around at every place else but him … and to just look directly at the camera.
Apparently not only did I capture his attention, I also captured the attention of Redbook Magazine … more on that in just a smidge, if I haven’t yet talked enough about it.
I woke up one day in March thinking that my Instagram account had been hacked because from the time I had fallen asleep the night before to the time I woke up and I looked at my cellphone, I had gained hundreds of new followers and had received all kinds of congratulatory messages. It took a few moments before I realized that rewardStyle, THE online monetization tool for top-tier bloggers, had highlighted me, and this outfit, on their IG account.
When I first looked at it, the post had over 16K likes on it. I, of course, obsessively watched that count grow over the next few days. Ahhh ~ the power of the IG post.
A few weeks before April rolled around, a girlfriend of mine had tweeted that she just entered Redbook Magazine’s Real Women Style Awards competition for the chance to be on their cover. After I saw her tweet, I thought I’d enter too and popped over to Redbook and submitted a handful of pics of myself, the hat pic included. I then put it out of my brain and forgot all about it.
In early April, for my birthday, my husband treated me to a fab birthday trip to France and Italy. When the plane touched down in Paris, I powered on my cellphone and it was then and there on Delta flight number whatever and seat number whatever where I read the email from the Deputy Editor at Redbook that said “Congratulations! You have been chosen as a finalist of the Real Women Style Awards.” Wait. … WHAT? I just woke up. It’s 2:00 AM back home. Who can I tell??? Talk about freak out moment.
It turned out that Redbook had received tens of thousands of entries and their judges had whittled it down to the top 25, of which I was one. After a 6 week voting process, 6 of the 25 finalists would be on the cover. Although it turned out that I was not one of the six winners, I was thrilled and honored to have been included in the top 25. *** THANK YOU to all of you who voted.
By now you should know that I do make attempts to have my outfit and my surroundings relate somehow. When I put this outfit together I KNEW I had the perfect background for it ~ even though it was, in fact, a trash dumpster. … prettiest darn trash dumpster I ever did see.
So when one door closes (Redbook) ~ another even more fabulous one opens and it was in August when I was invited by Chico’s to be part of their holiday campaign and to be in their Holiday catalogue. If you somehow missed that story and how AMAZING it all was, you can read about it here.
This was the first set of blog pics we took after I returned home from the Chico’s NYC photo shoot and I giggle at the expression on my face. I was still kind of in a daze from it all … THAT or I noticed a donut shop off in the distance.
I was invited by Toyota for a 3 day celebration of the Corolla turning 50 and they delivered a 2017 Corolla to my home to experience the ride for myself. When it arrived, it only had 4 miles on it. I had never seen a car with 4 miles on it before. Umm… was I supposed to drive this s-l-o-w or something?
*** BTW, I have BIG plans for the blog this year. One of which will be lots more video.
One of the most shared, most liked and most commented on posts of the year: The Look Alike Score. Message received …you’d like to see more of these. Done deal.
So that’s the wrap up, friends. It’s been super fun for me to revisit all the action from this past year.
I’d like to take this moment to THANK YOU ALL for your continued support throughout the years (nearly 4 now!) and I’m going to continue to grow and expand the blog. As you read this, my site is being completely revamped to add new verticals and segments to it so as to keep it fresh and exciting. I can’t wait for you to see.
Wishing YOU a fantastic 2017! ~ Jamie
You are part of my daily life . I’m proud of your accomplishments.
XOXOXOXO
Four years? I think I must be one of your first subscribers.
I always look forward to your blog, which is the best one I subscribe to. Happy new year!
You WERE one of the first. Thank you for your continued support. HNY!
Fantastic outfits and congrats! Happy New Year, love your blog!
Thank you, Veronica! HNY to you, as well.
What a great blog!! You are such an inspiration, style and otherwise! Enjoy all of your posts! Have a great and stylish 2017!!
Thank you for the kind and FAB comment, Lorie!
It has been fun watching you develop as a blogger over the years. You’re doing a great job. How I wish I had your sense of color, which is impeccable. Congratulations, Jamie. Happy new year.
Well, the blog HAS evolved, hasn’t it?! I sure have appreciated your suggestions and guidance along the way. XO
Thank you, I was going through “More than Turquoise” withdrawl! Following you this past year has been a delight and inspiration. I CANNOT wait to see what you do — and WEAR – next!
You’re the BEST, Patty! I do have some fun stuff coming up … (I’ve had a sinus infection for the past few days and have been stuck in bed so I’m SO ready for that fun stuff right about now…)
WOW….I love going down memory lane with you. Fabulous posts….the outfits, the backdrops, the written content…all of it is incredible. I have purchased more items that you highlighted in your blog well beyond any other blog I follow. You stay inside the price point of your followers…even better…you surprise us with the deals. Yes, there are a few “investment” pieces and I have hunted down those as well: the BOW GUARD (which I did not even know existed before your blog enlightened me), Rocki Gorman jewelry (generous layaway plan and GORGEOUS pieces), The Vestaire Collective (others may have bought the dress…I went after the earrings). I have so many pieces that you highlighted on your blog. I post them as well….and the long gorgeous embroidered coat? It is now in my Hall of Fame of posts…and renamed “The Jamie Coat”
I think your video was played more in my home than “It’s a Wonderful Life”…..love it all. Keep it coming, Jamie!
I LOVE that you have renamed “our” coat “The Jamie Coat” … I’ll take it!
Never saw the video before. It’s terrific. And I still say you have the best photographer around.
He’s a keeper! Thanks for all your support. XOXO!
Congratulations on a great year and look forward to seeing your posts in 2017!
Thanks, Wendy! Fun stuff is a comin’!
BRAVO, Jamie – for all you do and all of the accolades. You’re worth it and deserve it!
Thank you, Cris! HNY!
When are you going to write a book?
Patty – I’m actually working on a product line…. (!) XO
What a great post! I am noticing that you wore a lot of black and I think you really look stunning in it! I am looking forward to another great year of following you! Five is pretty special and I recommend buying a commemorative ring or something. Or, if you are like me, I like to commemorate special events with boots. hehe!
I should TOTALLY purchase something commemorative. GREAT idea!